Scholarships

February 2018 marks the 20th anniversary of chef Patrick Clark’s passing. During this time of reflection, JBF seeks to honor his life and increase awareness of his legacy by growing his memorial scholarship fund. Learn more.

Scholarship News and Background

Established in 1991, the scholarship program assists aspiring and established culinary professionals who plan to further their education at a licensed or accredited culinary school or hospitality institution, college, or university. In the past 25 years, the program has not only grown in visibility and financial scope, but in the array of subjects its recipients have embraced. As of 2017, the Foundation will have awarded over $7 million in financial aid to almost 2,000 recipients.

James Beard School Scholarships: Tuition waivers granted by educational institutions, which are renewable in some cases

Grants for working culinary professionals that cover expenses from programs offering experiential learning at farms, fisheries, wineries, and other venues of food production, under the auspices of the Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study program

Additionally, JBF's National Scholars Program, which launched in 2016, provides ten high-impact scholarships of $20,000 each to food-focused candidates of exceptional talent. Candidates for the ten (10) National Scholarships are selected according to academic merit, as well as personal and professional recommendations. To ensure regional diversity of this national program, one awardee will be selected from each of the ten geographic regions defined by the James Beard Foundation Awards.

The James Beard Foundation is also proud to announce its new Women's Leadership Programs, which are committed to advancing women in the culinary industry. These programs are open to women with at least two year's of professional experience. Learn more.

Our 2018 JBF Scholarship application period will open on April 1, 2018. To learn more about available scholarships and applications materials, click here.

Scholarship Sponsors

JBF scholarship sponsors give the invaluable gift of education to aspiring culinarians around the country. None of this would be possible without the generosity of these sponsors, who have contributed tuition waivers to this year's program:

Work/Study Grants

The Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant

Chef Jean-Louis Palladin is considered one of the culinary geniuses of the 20th century. He was a master of his craft, known for his creativity, passion, technique, and commitment to the very best. Jean-Louis was as much a teacher as a chef, encouraging and mentoring many while demanding perfection of himself and all around him. He was funny, laughed easily, and embraced life fully.

The James Beard Foundation is proud to offer the Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant. Created to perpetuate the mission and programs of the Jean-Louis Palladin Foundation, the initiative will provide a series of annual grants of up to $10,000 to working chefs.

This grant will allow recipients to spend time learning from and working with master growers, producers, and food artisans; to toil alongside renowned chefs in America and abroad; and to study varied specialized skills.

Our 2018 Jean-Louis Palladin Professional Work/Study Grant application period will open on April 1, 2018.